The Walt Disney World Resort is facing a growing predicament.
“The Most Magical Place on Earth” features four unique theme parks at the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, as well as two water parks at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park (which is currently closed for renovation).
Millions of Disney World guests are taking trips to Orlando to enjoy popular attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, “It’s a Small World,” Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, the all-new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Expedition Everest, and star Wars: Galaxy Edge. They also come for epic night scenes like Disney Enchantment at the Magic Kingdom and Fantasmic! At Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
However, none of these things could happen without the magic that Disney Cast members bring day in and day out at the parks.
Disney park guests may not see everything that cast members do, but they are responsible for ride operations, safety, sanitation, and making sure every aspect of the parks is taken care of.
Currently, a growing issue is tossing heads between The Walt Disney Company and the labor union that represents thousands of Disney Cast members. The union is said to be willing to turn down Disney’s $1.00 an hour raise offer, believing that the cast members deserve higher raises and better pay.
Thousands of Disney workers are about to turn down Disney’s wage offer. The Disney workers were clear that they needed immediate and substantial raises. All six unions representing workers in the Services Union Council (STCU) are recommending that our members vote against the Disney contract proposal to continue to fight for an increased need for workers,” the union shared in a statement.
If this offer is rejected, the two will continue to negotiate. Disney raised the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour in 2018, but that doesn’t take full effect until 2021.
If Cast members and Disney can’t come to an agreement, there could be protests and even strikes before all is said and done. There was no blanket strike to affect Walt Disney World Resort, but there have been plans of this nature in the past. With this feud coming to a head, it will be interesting to see what actions can be taken if things turn south.
Although this is still in its early stages, it is definitely something for guests planning a Disney World vacation to consider as they look forward to their travels in the months ahead.
Inside The Magic will keep you updated on these negotiations as they happen.